The Demon Headmaster is on the loose. Pushed to breaking point, Daniel Osbourne (Rob Mallard) lashes out at his predatory ex Megan Walsh (Beth Nixon) and his own dad, Coronation Street legend Ken Barlow (William Roache).
There’s dark days ahead for Daniel, and the worst is yet to come.
Devastated by the realisation that his girlfriend Megan was only dating him to hide her sexual abuse of Will Driscoll (Lucas Hodgson-Wale), the tortured teacher was suspended from school after losing his temper with schoolgirl Hope Stape (Isabella Flanagan) when she made a snide remark about his relationship.
Thoroughly ashamed, Daniel pretended to Ken Barlow (William Roache) that he was off to the Lakes for a much needed break and left his so Bertie in his dad’s care.
The truth was, he planned to sink into depression and drink heavily in his flat. But those plans were scuppered by a surprising new flatmate…
Enter Jodie Ramsey (Olivia Frances-Brown), who used her trademark devious tactics to convince Daniel to let her stay, seeing as the Platts had kicked her out.
But a spanner was thrown into the works of Jodie’s plan when Daniel decided it was time for Bertie to come home, and therefore time for her to move out.
To keep Daniel unstable and in need of her, Jodie created a secret persona of an online troll called ‘Truthteller’ and used it to smear the headmaster’s reputation by suggesting he knew about Megan’s abuse all along.
Not only that, but the bunny-boiling baddie fed Daniel’s growing paranoia by giving misleading suggestions of who the troll could be – including David Platt (Jack P Shepherd), who spurned Jodie’s advances.
This is about to backfire in a big way. In upcoming scenes of Coronation Street, Daniel is harassed by two masked teenagers who pelt him with paint and hurl insults before recording his furious reaction on their phone. This is just the tip of the iceberg, as Jodie’s secret online bullying is about to make Daniel’s rage explodewith devastating consequences.
As an anxious Daniel prepares for his return to work, Bertie presents him with a ‘World’s Best Teacher’ mug.
But at school, Lily Platt (Grace Ashcroft-Gardner) taunts Daniel by purposely bashing into him and smashing his beloved mug to pieces. Fragile, Daniel breaks down in tears, which Jake Windass (Bobby Bradshaw) is quick to record on his phone.
Desperate to drown his sorrows, Daniel barrels into the Rovers on a mission to get drunk. But when Adam Barlow (Sam Robertson) bans Sean from serving him, Daniel storms out.
Then just when Daniel’s day can’t get any worse, he spots Megan in the precinct. All his fury and frustration come spilling out as he gets in her face and screams at her for ruining his life. Is Megan in danger?
Later, the hits just keep on coming as Daniel checks his laptop for further vile posts, and as Jodie makes a throw away remark, he realises with horror that she’s his troll.
Recriminations fly as Daniel rails at Jodie for causing him sleepless nights, paranoia and depression whilst acting as his confidante. Jodie tries to lie Truthteller2 has nothing to do with her, but Daniel’s heard enough and throws her out.
After getting drunk in the Rovers, a spiralling Daniel’s too drunk to make Bertie his tea and passes out on the sofa. So poor Bertie has to make his own tea… which results in an accident that causes smoke TO pour from the kitchen!
Panicked Bertie staggers out leaving Daniel dead to the world. As the poor tot wanders the streets, Daniel’s negligence has left them both in peril…
Next day, Daniel is woken by a call from school informing him that Bertie hasn’t turned up. As Daniel takes in his surroundings, he realises with horror that there’s no sign of Bertie. Is Bertie safe?
Daniel’s reckless behaviour results in a confrontation with Adam, who tears him to shreds for hisirresponsible parenting. And when Adam brings up Sinead (Katie McGlynn), Daniel’s wife and Bertie’s mum who died of cancer, Daniel loses it and lashes out at Adam in a rage…
… only to accidentally catch poor Ken and send him staggering.
Is there any way back for Daniel? Or is he only going to get worse?
